Stopping The Violence Counsellor

The **Stopping the Violence Women's Counselling Program **is funded by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Itprimarily provides essential trauma-based counselling and support for women who have experienced sexual assault, violence in relationships, and/or childhood abuse. It is aimed at helping women move forward from their experiences of violence and abuse, so that they can carry on with their lives in a healthy and constructive manner.

The STV counsellor provides mid-range individual and group abuse counselling to women generally 19 years plus. The STV program does not deal with serious mental health conditions: DID, cults, psychoses nor will STV offer services of a religious nature. This position is unionized and requires a mandatory membership with the BCGEU.

**Job Duties and Responsibilities**:
To perform the job successfully the STV Counsellor must be able to consistently perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Provide individual and group counselling to women who have experienced any form of trauma, violence, abuse or threats. Facilitate women’s understanding of the impact of the trauma, focusing on the behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical consequences of the abuse, and foster development of personal coping skills.
- Provides individual and group counselling to clients from a feminist and trauma-based perspective using techniques such as counselling and self-skill
- Provides individual and group-based psycho-educational counselling for adult women survivors of childhood trauma and abuse and/or relationship violence.
- Maintains accurate up-to-date records, including documentation of all client contacts, case notes and referral records and case consultation notes.
- Develop and implement therapeutic programs necessary to meet goals.
- Assists the Counselling supervisor to manage and develop the program, including but not limited to managing waitlist, collecting, and reporting monthly statistics.
- Consults, networks, and liaises with community agencies and professionals to maintain up-to-date information on available resources, and to maintain positive community relations and build mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Provides support and information to clients to develop and strengthen their support and social network beyond the counselling relationship.
- Facilitates the self-development and skill development of clients by identifying,

recruiting and developing appropriate resources and supporting youth participation in developmental activities: i.e., life skills, work placement, academic study, community services.
- Provides direct intervention with the clients when required.
- Counsel from a feminist perspective addressing such issues as societal structures and values.
- follow Society personnel policies.
- Records kept in a professional manner up to policy/CARF standards.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of client information.
- Acquire knowledge of community resources and referral process; become thoroughly familiar with Ann Davis programs to make referrals.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings, case conferencing, and clinical supervision.
- It is expected that staff will, at least once a year, voluntarily help with a Society fundraising activity.
- Facilitation and/or co-facilitation of various psychoeducational groups.
- Facilitates open communication within the case management team.
- Contributes to regular reporting procedures, including ongoing case notes, incident reports, monthly progress summaries and exit reports.

**Skills and Knowledge**
- Understanding of and working knowledge of the Family Law Act 2013
- Excellent understanding of violence against women’s issues both within dominant and non-dominant cultures
- Strong understanding and commitment to Ann Davis Transition Society for Women’s Mission, Vision, and Values
- Firm commitment to working from a feminist perspective, providing women centered, trauma informed and client centered approach and a pro-choice stance.
- Comprehensive understanding of social services and resources in the Fraser Valley and how to access them.
- Strong listening skills, written and oral communication skills including public speaking skills required.
- Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate information to others (i.e., case notes, reports and statistics)
- Demonstrated ability to provide crisis intervention and support for women.
- Demonstrated ability to support women through their journey toward healing and independence, through providing individual and group counselling and referrals as needed.
- Strong knowledge and experience of providing service to women in an integrated case management team environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse clientele, and cultural competency.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team and with referring authorities.

**Competencies**:

- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
-